Grace Like Rain: Life Lessons for my Daughter

Pursue a relationship with your Heavenly Father. Baby girl, God is the author of love, and since before your birth He has been courting your heart; loving you in every moment and knitting together a master plan for your life that has been especially crafted for you. There is no relationship with greater eternal significance. Invest in it. Daddy and I pray daily that you will live your life in hot pursuit of that truth.

Learn what it means to serve. It’s not enough to give lip service to your faith, you’ve got to immerse yourself in the business of loving others. Serve as Jesus served. Live it out every single day. Baby girl, let Jesus be seen in you, and let that be your greatest witness.

You will never be too old for me to rock you. If ever you need me, baby girl, I’ll be there.

Don’t be afraid to go against the grain. This world is broken, and it is not your home. Let that be your battle cry! Your citizenship is in heaven. God has placed you in this moment in time for a specific purpose. Find out what it is, and use your gifts to honor the King.

Live boldly. Realize your dreams. Let yourself be what others only dream of. There is truly nothing that you cannot do. Daddy and I believe in you with every fiber of our being. We will always be your biggest fans.

Pray. About big things, little things, and all the things in between. And not just for the hurts and the fears--don’t forget to thank God for the blessings in your life.

Wait. Sweet girl, at this very moment God has already set into motion the events that will put you on collision course with the man you will someday marry. Wait for him. I know that isn’t a popular decision in the world we live. I know it will be hard. But baby, it’s worth it. There is truly no greater gift you can give to your husband on your wedding day than the gift of yourself. Honor your body and the commitment you have made before God with your purity. You’ll never regret it.

You.are.beautiful. You are BEAUTIFUL. True beauty starts from the heart and radiates outward like a beacon. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 . Strive to be that kind of beautiful. It never fades.

See yourself the way God sees you. Find your worth in Him alone, not in worldly standards. My love, God looks at you and He sees His perfect daughter, who He has lovingly created and who He cherishes. What on earth could possibly compare to that? You are a daughter of the KING. The Creator of the Universe loves YOU and is actively pursuing your heart with every breath you take. When you lose sight of that, be intentional and remember the incredibly love of the Father.

Listen. Don’t just wait for your chance to jump in on the conversation. Listen when someone is speaking. Hear what they’re saying.

Rescue others. There will be times in your life when you’ll have to decide to either jump in or walk away. It’s often easier to walk away. I hope you jump every single time.

Be a woman of integrity. It is increasingly rare. Have the courage of your convictions, and don’t apologize for it.

Be where you are. Savor the seasons of your life and be present in each moment. None of them are guaranteed. Don’t spend so much time trying to get somewhere else that you miss out on the gift of today.

Listen to your brother’s advice. Be best friends. By his example, you’ll learn how boys should treat you.

Someday, you may have your heart broken. I promise it won’t be the end of the world, even though it may feel like it. Heart break is an exquisite pain, because it teaches you about yourself and allows you a small glimpse into what it will mean to give your heart to your future husband and know that he will safeguard it. That is a gift of marriage.

Set boundaries for yourself before you ever go on your first date. Love is a paralyzing feeling; the moment can sweep you away in ways you never intended it to. Be intentional. Don’t put yourself in situations that could cause you to falter. Good girls aren’t boring.

Be joyful. Root for other people! The success of others does not diminish your own. Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to others or wishing you have the gifts of someone else. Champion those around you! Pour joy into the relationships in your life.

Be generous. With your time, your money, and your heart. If it’s yours, it’s by the grace of God. Pay it forward.

It’s okay to make mistakes. Baby girl, we all stumble. There have been so many times in my life where I have literally fallen flat on my face. Where I’ve felt like I’ve let people down, dishonored God, missed opportunities. What’s beautiful about those moments is the redemption. God is just waiting to pick you back up. He wants to dust you off, kiss your cheek and whisper reassurances to your heart that He loves you. Nothing can change that. Nothing can separate you from that love. So embrace the fall. Learn from it. And keep right on walking.

Your daddy has loved you better and longer than any boy you’ll ever meet. Watch how he loves you. Watch how he loves me. Your daddy is a man who loves God first and loves his girls fierce. Find that kind of man.

Nothing you ever tell me could make me want to stop hearing from you. Nothing. You are a piece of my heart. My love for you is unconditional. Unconditional.

Invest in your relationship with your Heavenly Father by investing your time. Lean in and listen to what He is quietly laying on your heart. Just like any relationship in life, if you don’t invest….it can’t grow.

Womanhood is a gift. So is femininity. It is my great honor to be able to care for and serve my family in the home. The world will try and tell you something different. Ignore it.

You are so loved, Lainey Rose. Never forget.

Saturday, December 28, 2013